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Banking and Finance

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FHLB Des Moines net income lower in 2020 amid lower rates, advance balances

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines recently reported its fourth-quarter and full-year results. For calendar year 2020, the bank’s net income was $362 million, compared with $384 million in 2019. Net interest income totaled $472 million …

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AM Best upgrades American Enterprise Group’s subsidiaries’ rating to A

Des Moines-based American Enterprise Group Inc. announced that insurance rating agency AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating of its six insurance company subsidiaries to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent). These subsidiaries operate under the brands …

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Sammons closes on acquisition of Beacon Capital Management

Sammons Financial Group has acquired Beacon Capital Management as the West Des Moines-based company expands its reach into the registered investment advisory services channel, the company announced this week. According to a news release, the …

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Principal Financial poll: Employee turnover spiking for small businesses

Employee turnover increased significantly for U.S. small businesses due to COVID-19, according to a new survey from Principal Financial Group. The company’s latest polling of more than 1,000 small business owners revealed a 20% uptick …

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Iowa accepting applications for rent, utility, mortgage assistance

Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Iowa Finance Authority opened applications this week for the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program, which will give $195 million of federal stimulus funding to those struggling to pay rent or utility …

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Financial literacy bee for high school students kicks off April 1

The Iowa Insurance Division is sponsoring the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee that will take place April 1-15. The nationwide financial literacy challenge for high school students provides an opportunity to learn the importance of saving and budgeting …

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West Bank ranks No. 10 on S&P Global list of top-performing large community banks

West Bank has been recognized by S&P Global on its annual list of the 50 top-performing large community banks. The West Des Moines-based bank, which was ranked No. 10 among banks in the $3 billion to $10 …

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Toyota Financial Services to close C.R. customer service center that employs 600

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Toyota Financial Services will close its Cedar Rapids customer service center that employs 600 people within the next two years, a spokesman said. Toyota will consolidate its customer service centers from six to …

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Chubb makes unsolicited bid for Hartford Financial

Hartford Financial announced it received an unsolicited, nonbinding proposal to be acquired by Chubb Ltd., AM Best reported. In a statement, Hartford said its board of directors is carefully considering the proposal with the assistance of its …

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Iowa Bankers Association names Student Athlete Achievement Award winners

Four Iowa high school seniors received a 2021 Iowa Bankers Association Student Athlete Achievement Award during the Iowa high school boys’ state basketball tournament last week in Des Moines. One student from each class received …